Real-world application of donanemab therapy in Alzheimer's disease: A case report on a patient who met the PET-based discontinuation threshold

GENG Jieli, CAO Wenwei, SUN Weifeng, ZHANG Chenpeng, SUN Yawen, ZHI Nan, SONG Yaying, WANG Gang

Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (1) : 28-33.

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Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (1) : 28-33. DOI: 10.12022/jnnr.2025-0301
Case Report

Real-world application of donanemab therapy in Alzheimer's disease: A case report on a patient who met the PET-based discontinuation threshold

  • GENG Jieli1, CAO Wenwei1, SUN Weifeng2, ZHANG Chenpeng3, SUN Yawen4, ZHI Nan1, SONG Yaying1, WANG Gang1
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Abstract

Objective: To report the first real-world case of an Alzheimer's disease patient who achieved PET-defined amyloid clearance sufficient to meet the discontinuation criteria and successfully discontinue donanemab therapy, and to illustrate the feasibility of PET-guided individualized treatment duration in clinical practice.

Methods: A 78-year-old female patient with AD was systematically evaluated before and after donanemab therapy. Cognitive function, amyloid-β (Aβ) and Tau PET imaging, and MRI findings were longitudinally monitored, along with the assessment of treatment-related adverse events.

Results: After six infusions of donanemab, the patient's Aβ load decreased to 7.02 Centiloids (CL), meeting the predefined discontinuation criterion. Tau deposition showed a mild visual reduction compared with baseline. The MoCA score increased from 17 to 21, mainly in the orientation domain, while activities of daily living remained stable. Asymptomatic amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) was detected and remained stable during follow-up

Conclusion: This case demonstrates that donanemab can achieve substantial Aβ clearance with favorable safety in real-world settings. PET-based quantitative guidance for individualized therapy duration appears feasible, though long-term follow-up is required to assess the durability of Aβ clearance and its downstream impact on Tau dynamics and clinical outcomes, providing insights for precision application of anti-Aβ therapies.

Key words

Alzheimer’s disease / Donanemab / Amyloid- β / Tau protein / Positron emission tomography / Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities

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GENG Jieli, CAO Wenwei, SUN Weifeng, ZHANG Chenpeng, SUN Yawen, ZHI Nan, SONG Yaying, WANG Gang. Real-world application of donanemab therapy in Alzheimer's disease: A case report on a patient who met the PET-based discontinuation threshold[J]. Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation. 2026, 22(1): 28-33 https://doi.org/10.12022/jnnr.2025-0301
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